Board Memo – November 11, 2016

Thanks to all who attended
yesterday’s Regular Board meeting. For those not in attendance, we would
like to make you are aware of the more notable discussions and actions
taken at the meeting.

We were pleased to be joined at the meeting
by our new Interim Director, Dr. Gary Stueven. Dr. Stueven is finishing
up his first week at the school and we are happy that he was able to
dedicate much of his time to productive conversations and meetings with
staff, students and parents. We are grateful to have Dr. Stueven’s
leadership to help RMAE move forward through the rest of this year.

Also
at yesterday’s meeting, the Board approved the revised K-8 budget plan
that was presented and recommended by the Finance Committee. The new K-8
budget plan, to be implemented in the weeks ahead, seeks to address our
significant financial deficit by more closely aligning expenses with
revenue, and doing so with empathy and understanding of the implications
of these changes. We encourage you to view the full financial
presentation and budget plan here: http://www.rmae.org/wp- content/uploads/20161110_FinanceBudgetSlides.pdf.

A
challenge – and opportunity – for the remainder of this year will be to
heal and rebuild the RMAE community for the ultimate benefit of our
children and the education they receive. Last night the board created an
ad hoc sub-committee named the, Healing, Trust & Community Building
Committee. This new sub-committee will be spearheaded by Russ Arnold
and will work with the BOD, administration, staff, students, PTO and
general parent community to provide recommendations to the BOD about
activities and programs that can identify, heal and seek to prevent
divisions within the RMAE community. If you are interested in
participating in this sub-committee, please contact Russ Arnold at rcdarnold@gmail.com

In
addition, there was also discussion regarding other Board
sub-committees, many of which have fallen inactive since the start of
the year. Given the importance of these various committees in supporting
the school and the education of our children alongside other invaluable
groups like PTO and Foundation, it is a priority of the Board to
re-establish and reinvigorate these committees as soon as possible. We
have a tremendous wealth of time, talent, skills, and experience within
the RMAE Community, and volunteering your time on one of our many
sub-committees is a productive and rewarding way to help support the
school. A separate communication with more details regarding Committee
needs and opportunities will be forthcoming early next week.

We
also would like to thank Wyatt Grummons, a 4th grader, who graciously
started our “front desk change jar fund.” Wyatt donated all the change
in his backpack to RMAE and unknowingly kicked off a grassroots
campaign. Since then many other students have followed suit. Way to go
Wyatt! Your sense of duty and empathy towards your fellow RMAE students
and the school is a true testament to this month’s Core Virtues.

In
closing, we continue to ask for your support and input, including any
and all efforts to welcome new students into our classrooms and to
communicate a positive image of our school to the greater public. The
school can only cut expenses so much; the best and most sustainable path
to our school’s long-term success is increasing enrollment back to
healthier levels. We appreciate the entire RMAE Community’s efforts and
support in transitioning Rocky Mountain Academy of Evergreen through
this time. Together, we can overcome the obstacles the school faces and
build a bright, positive future for RMAE.